My Friend

For My Auntie Annette

It happened all at once, I didn't see it coming but instead was looking forward to the next time we would be together, and then...

My friend, I miss you. I know you are in the best hands, but my sorrow hangs over me like a warm shawl. Everywhere I look I'm reminded of something we did, something you said, something we planned, something we ate, something we sang, something we never did - Why did we wait?

Looking back, I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to spend the time we did, and regret we didn't do more - together. It was no coincidence we were born on the same day, liked the same songs, ate the same foods, bought the same clothes, drank the same drink, dreamed the same dreams - Will my birthday ever be the same?

It hurts. But I'm being selfish. I know you are in a much better place, happier than you've ever been, in the presence of the Lord, Smiling, Laughing, Dancing, Singing, Shouting, Praising, Worshiping...Who would give that up? 

My friend, I miss you. I know you have gone on to your next calling but I will see you again, one day. I have more to do, and as I go on smiling, singing, praying, gazing, wishing, sleeping, weeping, dreaming, I can't help but wonder - Do you miss me?

My Little Baby Boy Blue

A prayer and poem dedicated to my son, Nathan III

My Prayer:

My little baby boy blue, what joy I feel
God has said I am worthy to be your mom
That sweet little spirit, that warm little soul, oh how I love you so
You'll never know how pleased I am at the sight of you
I see a gurgling baby that will one day be a fine man
Who will love the Lord and walk in His will 
I thank God for the grace, wisdom, and strength to provide 
You will accomplish all that He has for you
I stand on His word, I stand on His promises
My little baby boy blue...oh how I love you so

My Praise:

My little baby boy blue, come blow your horn
Announce to the world that you are born
God has made you for a special deed
And By his Word you will succeed
Your detractors won't be able to stop your fame
For the Lord has ordained you by His Name
You have all the gifts inside that you will need
On His promises you will feed 
I sing praises to the Lord for what He has done
And for giving you to me, my little one


Your Mom, 

Stacey
XOXO

7/9/12

A Dream Deferred 2012

What happens to a dream that never was?


It's hidden inside but cannot lie
It waits in vain in the cold and rain
It screams a muffled scream and melts like ice cream
It pours out it's heart but no one is listening - are you listening?


There's no such thing as a dream that never was
You just disguised it in all your flaws
It's a seed waiting to grow, waiting for the right word to let it flow
If you listen you will hear - it's calling your name
If you choose to answer, it will spark a flame
It's that passion that's burning deep inside
A consuming fire that melts your pride


The dream was there all the time - take a moment to find it
Don't let it explode...

To My 8th Grade Teacher - Thank You

Mrs. Jenkins was my 8th grade teacher - and she did not play! While she had a good heart and a good sense of humor, she expected all her students to do their best. Just one glare from Mrs. Jenkins and  you knew you better shut up and sit down or else! Years later, I realized that it was this teacher's assignment that would define my career path.


The assignment was simple, think about a career that interests you and interview someone in that role. Simple. But not for me. I agonized over what career interested me and who I would interview. I had never thought seriously about what I wanted to do after high school, and now Mrs. Jenkins was forcing me to think about this 4 years early. 


After much thought and with the deadline looming - I settled on interviewing the local news anchor, Tim Lake from Live 5 News. It was something about TV that attracted me, but it was not a prominent thought in my mind, that is, until after I interviewed Tim.


First, I have to be honest, Tim was a very good looking man - blond hair, blue eyes, chiseled face, tanned - my personal Ken doll. So part of my interest was my infatuation with watching this man deliver the news every evening. I called the TV station and asked to speak to Tim. I told the person on the other end that I needed to interview him for a school report. Lo and behold, they said yes! Another interesting note is that my Great-Grand Mother lived two blocks from the TV station, literally a walk in the park.


I don't remember anything that happened up to the interview, but I do remember sitting in a conference room waiting for Mr. Lake to come in. I had my questions written out and was nervous enough for 10 people. Tim was very nice, just as handsome in person, and very warm and encouraging. Leaving the TV station that day, I knew I wanted to be a news anchor. Now, how I would actually accomplish that is another story. I wrote my paper, received a good grade from Mrs. Jenkins, and continued with high school as normal.


That year was probably 1985 when I interviewed Tim Lake, and now in 2012, I wonder where both he and Mrs. Jenkins are. Nevertheless, I ended up in TV, and not that I planned, but because God ordered my steps. The career that I've had this far, I could not have planned, I could not have imagined, and I cannot wait to see what's next.


In closing, I remember I did thank Tim Lake for the interview, but I never thanked Mrs. Jenkins for the assignment. Thank you Mrs. Jenkins, for helping me walk in God's will for my life.